Medieval Indian History MCQs

Notes:
Iltutmish introduced Silver Tanka and Copper Jital, the two coins of the Delhi Sultanate. The coins prior to Iltutmish were introduced by the invaders, which bear the Sanskrit characters and even Hindu Gods, Bull and Shivalinga. The name “Tanka” was derived from the Arabic word “Tankhah,” which means wage or salary.

Notes:
Akbar declared or issued Mahzarnama to take all the religious matters into his own hands. This made him supreme in the religious matters. He issued Mahzarnama to curb the dominance of Ulema. It was written by Faizi in 1579.

Notes:
Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru of Sikhism, was gifted the “Palace of Amritsar” by Mughal Emperor Akbar. This was a significant event in his reign as Guru from 1574 to 1581. The “Palace of Amritsar,” later became the Golden Temple, representing the holiest shrine in Sikhism. Akbar’s gifting of the palace manifests his respect for the Sikh community and its leaders.

Notes:
Bhagat Pipa was a mystic poet and saint of Bhakti movement. He was a Rajput King of Gagaraungarh who abdicated the throne to become a Hindu mystic poet and saint of the Bhakti movement. He was born in the Malwa region of North India in approximately AD 1425. The manuscript “Sarab Gutaka” is ascribed to Bhagat Pipa.

Notes:
Ashta Pradhan was a council of eight ministers that administered the Maratha empire. The council was formed in 1674 by founding Emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji.The term Ashta Pradhan literally translates to “the Prime Eight”, from the Sanskrit ashta (“eight”) and pradhan (“prime”). The body discharged the functions of a modern council of ministers; this is regarded as one of the first successful instances of ministerial delegation in India. The council is credited with having implemented good governance practices in the Maratha heartland, as well as for the success of the military campaigns against the Mughal Empire.

Notes:
Jizya was abolished by the Mughal ruler Akbar in 16th century but was re-introduced by Aurangzeb in 17th century. After the death of Aurangzeb Jahandar Shah abolished Jazia tax.

Notes:
The Battle of Chandawar was fought in 1194 between Muhammad Ghori and Jayachandra of the Gahadavala dynasty. It took place at Chandawar near Agra. Jayachandra was killed in this battle.

Notes:
Harihara II (1342 – 1404 CE), an Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire from the Sangama Dynasty, patronized the Jaina poet Madhura. An important work on the Vedas was completed during his time. Earning the titles Vaidikamarga Sthapanacharya and Vedamarga Pravartaka, these denote his contribution and patronage to the Vedic traditions and rituals.

Notes:
In 1303 AD, Rana Rawal Ratan Singh was the ruler of Chittorgarh when Allauddin Khilji invaded and annexed it. The first Jauhar of royal Rajput ladies at Chittorgarh was also took place. It led by Rani Padmini, wife of Rawal Ratan Singh (King of Mewar) as she preferred to die rather than to surrender themselves against Sultan.

Notes:
Mongol invasions were repulsed by Zafar Khan who was military general in the reign of Allauddin Khilji. In 1298, as per order of Sultan Allauddin Khilji , about 30,0000 New Muslims were slaughtered in a day, as he suspected them of being involved in a conspiracy against him and of being a threat to his power. (Mongolians who settled near Delhi and accepted Islam were called “New Muslims”).